Cathode ray tube electrode element

ABSTRACT

Substantially U-shaped support means provide improved positioning and support for the individual electrode elements comprising a cathode ray tube electron gun assembly. The related side members of each U-shaped support channel are oriented in substantially parallel relationship with the longitudinal axis of the respective support rod. The discrete shaping of the electrode support arm provides structural cooperation with the contiguously reformed support rod material to provide an enhanced locking effect therebetween.

United States Patent Wanner 1451 Oct. 31, 1972 [S4] CATHODE RAY TUBE ELECTRODE ELEMENT [72] Inventor: Louis R. Wanner, Seneca Falls,

[73] Assignee: GTE Sylvania Incorporated [22] Filed: Jan. 19, 1972.

[21] App]. No.: 218,968

Related U.S. Application Data [62] Division of Ser. No. 51,761, July 2, 1970, Pat.

[52 Us. (:1. ..313/292, 313/82, 313/271 [51] Int. Cl ..l-l01j l/88, H013 19/42, H01k H18 [58] Field of Search ..313/82, 271, 292

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,134,923 5/1964 Brown ..313/271 3,238,409 3/1966 Brown ..313/271 3,368,097 2/1968 Levin ..313/292 X 3,434,819 3/1969 Merchant et al....3l3/27l UX 3,543,071 11/1970 Johnson ..313/82 BF Primary Examiner-David Schonberg Assistant Examiner-Toby H. Kusmer Attorney-Norman J. O'Malley et a].

[57] ABSTRACT Substantially U-shaped support means provide improved positioning and support for the individual electrode elements comprising a cathode ray tube electron gun assembly. The related side members of each U- shaped support channel are oriented in substantially parallel relationship with the longitudinal axis of the respective support rod. The discrete shaping of the electrode support arm provides structural cooperation with the contiguously reformed support rod material to provide an enhanced locking effect therebetween.

5 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures CATHODE RAY TUBE ELECTRODE ELEMENT CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a divisional application of Ser. No. 51,761, filed July 2, 1970, now US. Pat. No. 3,659,134, which is assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to cathode ray tubes and more particularly to electrode support means for use in an electron gun assembly.

In cathode ray tube electron gun assemblies, the electrode elements comprising the structure are usually positioned and supported in a sequentially aligned relationship. Such orientation is commonly achieved by embedding support straps or studs from the several electrodes in parallelly related securement means such as insulative support rods longitudinally incorporated in the assembly. The conventional support strap usually has a flat-formed embedment portion whereof the terminal section is configurated to anchor in the softened rod material during the studding procedure. There have been instances when the flat type studding has not provided adequate support. This has been especially evidenced with short electrode elements which permit only limited spacing for studding. By orienting flat-type supports in a substantially transverse manner in the insulative rod has aggravated edge chipping of the support rod. This condition unduly exposes the support strap which is conducive to the development of interelectrode leakage and voltage breakdown within the gun assembly during tube operation.

OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to reduce the aforementioned disadvantages and to provide improved means for rigidly supporting individual electrode elements in a cathode ray tube electron gun assembly.

. periphery of the element. Each of the arms is formed as a substantially U-shape'd channel, the distal end of which is embedded in a respective insulative support rod. The related side members of the channel are oriented in substantially parallel relationshipwith the longitudinal axis of the support rod. The U-shaping of the channel, when embedded in the rod, provides structural cooperation with the contiguously reformed rod material to produce enhanced positional and positival seating and locking of the support arm therein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a cathode ray tube showing an electron gun assembly positioned in the neck portion thereof;

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT For a better understanding of the present invention, together with other and further objects, advantages and capabilities thereof, reference is made to the following specification and amended claims in connection with the aforedescribed drawings.

With reference to the drawings, in FIG. 1 there is shown a fragmentary view of a cathode ray tube 11, whereof the glass neck portion 13 has included therein a partially detailed electron gun assembly 15. This may be, for example a multiple gun structure such as that commonly utilized in a color cathode ray tube. Portions of two electron guns 17 and 19 are shown of which the G G G G and G electrode elements of one representative gun 17 are referenced as 21, 22, 23, 24, and 25 respectively. Usually a majority of the electrode elements comprising each gun are substantially cylindrical members having defining edges with a wall surface therebetween. Each is commonly oriented and supported I in several longitudinal insulative support rods by a plurality of suitable support means 37. Two of such support rods 31 and 33 are shown, each having a respective longitudinal axis 32 and 34 therethrough.

In greater detail, reference is made to FIG. 2, which is taken along the line 22 of FIG. 1 and represents an enlarged plan view of the electron gun assembly 15. The transverse relationship of the similar G. electrode elements 24, 26, and 27 of electron guns 17, 19 and 20 is shown with respect to the longitudinal insulative support rods 31, 33, and 35. As illustrated, each of the electrode elements is positioned and supported by at least two related support means attached to at least two insulative support rods. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the G electrode element 24 has support arms 39 and 41 extending in an integral manner from the periphery thereof in spaced relationship to one another. Each of the support arms 39 and 41 has specific distal terminal portions 43 and 45 which are embedded in respective longitudinal insulative support rods 31 and 33. Likewise, each of the arms has respective proximal attachment portions 47 and 49 which are integral to the electrode element 24, being formed from the material thereof in a manner to extend from the defining edge 29 of the substantially cylindrical body member 30.

Each of the support arms, for instance arm 39, is shaped as a substantially U-shaped channel defined by a plurality of related planes in the form of two related side members 51 and 53 upstanding perimetrically from a substantially truncate-shaped base member 55. The first side members 51 and the related second side member 53, separately upstanding from the base member 55, are substantially in planes of non-parallel relationship thereby defining a U-shaped channel of diverse width, the distal portion 43 being narrower than the related proximal attachment portion 47. The individual distal first and second terminal portions 51 and 53' of the first and second side members 51 and 53 respectively are formed to extend beyond the leading edge 59 of the base member 55 as protrusions to facilitate embedment of the support arm 39 in the insulative support rod 31. At the time of embedment, substantially one side of the longitudinal insulative rod 31 which is commonly of a glass material is locally heated as for example by discretely directed gas fires. When that area of the rod is softened to a plastic state, it is common practice to move the rod, or usually all of the heated support rods of the assembly, into contact with the respective electrode element support arms of the several guns. The support arm 39 as shown in FIG. 2 is exemplary of the resultant embedment procedure whereupon the first and second distal tenninal portions 51' and 53 of the respective side members 51 and 53 and the leading portion of the base member 55 are shoved into the softened glass of the support rod 31. Upon hardening, the flow of glass into the distal portion of the U-shaped channel provides rigid locking of the support arm 39 in the longitudinal support rod 31, the separately related side members 51 and 53 being embedded therein in substantially parallel relationship with the longitudinal axis 32 thereof.

The side members are preferably shaped to have discrete provisions to provide locking of the side members in the reformed material of the support rod. FIGS. 3, 4, and illustrate several embodiments of side member configurations. For example, in FIG. 3, first side members 51 and 61 are of a substantially scalene-shaped triangular configuration whereof the distal related height h" is greater than the proximal related height h. In each instance the respective pointed protrusions 65 and 67 facilitate insertion of the side members into the glass and tend to expedite flow of the plastic glass along the respective inclined leading edges 52 and 62 toward the apices 69 and 70. The embedment of these apices in the glass of the support rods 31 and 33 provides additional locking of the support arms 39 and 41 therein.

Also shown in FIG. 3 are second side members 53 and 63 which are basically rectangular shapedwith the respective leading edges 54 and 64 formed for embedment in the support rods.

FIG. 4 illustrates an electrode element support arm 39 which is of a U-shaped construction similar to aforedescribed arm 39 except that both the first and second upstanding side members 71 and 73 are of a substantially scalene-shape triangular construction.

In FIG. 5, the U-shaped support arm construction 79 has first and second side members 81 and 83 that are of a substantially modified scalene-shaped configuration, but whereof the leading edges 82 and 84 are substantially peaked to further expedite insertion. In greater detail, for example first side member 81 has upper and lower apical regions, 85 and 87 respectively, formed in the distal terminal portion 89 thereof to provide augmented locking of the support arm in the respective glass support rod.

Although several configurations of support arm side members are shown and described, such disclosures are not to be considered limiting. Furthermore, the U- shaped electrode support arm construction is applicable to both plural and single electron gun assemblies.

The relationship of the support arm to the electrode element is not limited to an integral extension of the electrode body member material as aforedescribed.

With reference to FIG. 6, the electrode member 93 has two similar but separately formed support arms 95 and 97 suitably attached, as by brazing or welding, to the wall surface of the body member. For example, the U- shaped structure of arm 95 is similar to that already described with the exception that the proximal attachment portion 99 has a tab arrangement of shoe appendage 101 attached thereto. Such attachment appen dage 101 is usually arcuately formed to substantially match the exterior contour of the respective electrode member 93. Separate support arm constructions are particularly advantageous for longer cylindrical electrodes, wherein they are attached on the sidewall substantially midway between the defining edges 103 and 105.

Thus, there is provided an improved means for rigidly supporting individual electrode elements in cathode ray tube electron gun assemblies. The electrode elements have improved U-shaped support arms that minimize the conditions producing chipping of the insulative support rods. In addition, the U-shaped arms provide improved means for achieving positional and positival seating and locking of the electrode elements to the longitudinal support rods of the gun assembly structure.

While there has been shown and described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A cathode ray tube electrode element formed for subsequent utilization in a plurality of insulative glasstype support means in a manner to effect positive orientation therein, said electrode element comprising:

a substantially cylindrical body member having defining edges with a wall surface therebetween; and

at least two spaced apart support arms formed with a base member thereof extending from the periphery of said body member in a manner that said base member is substantially perpendicular to said wall surface, each of said arms being formed as a substantially U-shaped channel defined by a plurality of angularly related planes in the form of a pair of related first and second cooperating side members upstanding in non-parallel relationship from a substantially truncate-shaped base member, each of said U-shaped arms having a proximal attachment portion integrally related to said body member and a distal terminal portion whereof the leading edges of the individual distal terminal sections of the related side members are formed as protrusions extending beyond the leading edge of said base member, said protrusions having substantially pointed leading edges to facilitate subsequent insertion of said distal portions into the plastic glass of a common support means in a manner to expedite flow of the glass along each side member and into the defined region therebetween, said side members of said distal terminal portions being shaped to have disto claim 1 wherein said side members have distal related heights greater than the proximal related heights thereof.

4. A cathode ray tube electrode element according to claim 3 wherein said side members are formed to be of a substantially scalene-shaped triangular configuration.

5. A cathode ray tube electrode element according to claim 1 wherein said support arms are separately formed and suitably attached to the wall surface of said body member. 

1. A cathode ray tube electrode element formed for subsequent utilization in a plurality of insulative glass-type support means in a manner to effect positive orientation therein, said electrode element comprising: a substantially cylindrical body member having defining edges with a wall surface therebetween; and at least two spaced apart support arms formed with a base member thereof extending from the periphery of said body member in a manner that said base member is substantially perpendicular to said wall surface, each of said arms being formed as a substantially U-shaped channel defined by a plurality of angularly related planes in the form of a pair of related first and second cooperating side members upstanding in non-parallel relationship from a substantially truncate-shaped base member, each of said U-shaped arms having a proximal attachment portion integrally related to said body member and a distal terminal portion whereof the leading edges of the individual distal terminal sections of the related side members are formed as protrusions extending beyond the leading edge of said base member, said protrusions having substantially pointed leading edges to facilitate subsequent insertion of said distal portions into the plastic glass of a common support means in a manner to expedite flow of the glass along each side member and into the defined region therebetween, said side members of said distal terminal portions being shaped to have discrete angular provisions formed therein for subsequent utilization to provide augmented locking of said side members in the reformed material of said support means.
 2. A cathode ray tube electrode element according to claim 1 wherein the pointed leading edges of said protruding distal terminal portions of said side members are shaped as acute inclinations having defined apical regions to provide subsequent positive locking of said side members in the reformed material of said support means.
 3. A cathode ray tube electrode element according to claim 1 wherein said side members have distal related heights greater than the proximal related heights thereof.
 4. A cathode ray tube electrode element according to claim 3 wherein said side members are formed to be of a substantially scalene-shaped triangular configuration.
 5. A cathode ray tube electrode element according to claim 1 wherein said support arms are separately formed and suitably attached to the wall surface of said body member. 